Policy Owner:

Contact Person:

Vice President for Student Affairs tel. (202) 319-5619

Dean of Students tel. (202) 319-5619

I. Policy Statement

The University strongly encourages students to take advantage of the many aspects of life at the University, including life in the surrounding neighborhoods and in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. At the same time, students accept certain responsibilities as members of the University community, including the obligation to practice responsible citizenship and to respect the rights of others on and off campus.

II. Community Standards

University students living off campus and/or visiting the surrounding neighborhoods have a responsibility to the local neighbors, the University and the District of Columbia to be mindful of their behavior and that of their guests and/or housemates, and its effects upon the community.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the positive and rewarding aspects of the University while simultaneously practicing responsible citizenship and conducting themselves in a manner that is compatible with the expectations of them as adult citizens and members of the University community. Loud music, large parties, being disruptive when traveling to and from campus, littering, not maintaining an off-campus property properly, or student vehicles blocking access to driveways, sidewalks, or alleyways might seem trivial to students. However, what might seem inconsequential is very disruptive to neighbors and other community members. It is incumbent upon students to respect the standards of the extended community.

When living in or visiting the local neighborhoods, students represent the university to people who form an impression of the University based on the students' behavior. Understanding who the neighbors are (e.g. professionals, retirees, families with young children, and/or long-term residents of the community) might help students recognize how their behavior(s) may be perceived and the positive (or negative) impact they can have on community members' impression of University students. Each year the neighbors must adjust to a new group of students living in the neighborhood with them; the negative actions of just one group of students can have a lasting impact on the community as a whole.

III. Student Responsibility and University Response

Expectations of University students do not change once they leave the physical boundaries of the campus. Even when off campus, students can be held accountable for their actions - the Code of Student Conduct applies to all students, whether they are on or off campus. Student behavior shall be consistent with the published Code of Student Conduct, laws and regulations, and Expectations of a Catholic University Student. The University reserves the right to take appropriate action to protect the health and well-being of an individual and/or the University community, including pursuing disciplinary action for any violation of University policy or district or federal law off University premises by a student that affects the University's interests and/or is inconsistent with the University's expectations of students.

In addition, when off campus, students are members of the District of Columbia community and will be held to certain standards, just like other community members. The Metropolitan Police Department has jurisdiction to respond to incidents occurring at an off-campus residence if they receive complaints from neighbors and other community members about students' behavior. The University, after learning of complaints, may take administrative or disciplinary action as necessary.

IV. Disciplined Property Status

The University, through its existing jurisdiction stated in the Code of Student Conduct, may take administrative action and/or institute disciplinary action if neighborhood properties are the location of an event that, based on credible evidence and the University's determination, has disrupted the neighborhood. In addition to sanctions against individual students, the University may designate a neighborhood property as a disciplined property (DP). Upon designation as a DP, all student tenants living in the property are subject to immediate disciplinary action by the University for any behaviors deemed to be disruptive to the community. In general, the designation of DP on a neighborhood property will remain for a minimum period of four academic months and may be removed upon approved petition from the tenants or the landlord to the Vice President of Student Affairs or his/her designee. However, a designation of DP may extend into future academic years, meaning that new tenants of the property will be under the same behavioral stipulations as prior tenants.